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Economic Development Officer salary in Australia
The median full-time salary for an economic development officer is $77,200 per annum, before tax, up $16,300 since 2018.
Most economic development officers are employed under a local government award or enterprise agreement, so pay steps with the classification level you are appointed at rather than with performance alone. State government and regional development authority roles sit on different bands, and senior positions carrying a portfolio or a team sit higher again. Fixed-term roles funded by a specific project can pay well for their duration, but the position ends when the funding does.
Roles that pay more than economic development officer
The largest typical pay rise is $75,900 a year, moving into Policy and Planning Manager.
- Policy and Planning Manager+$75,900/yr
- Urban Planner+$43,200/yr
- Policy Officer+$35,800/yr
How to negotiate a higher economic development officer salary
- Know the market rate before you ask. The median full-time economic development officer salary is $77,200; use that, not a guess, as your anchor, and adjust for your experience and employer.
- Lead with what's scarce, not just tenure. Skills like Strategy development and Policy analysis and advice tend to command a premium over general economic development officer experience, name them specifically when you ask.
- Bring a real alternative to the table. Policy and Planning Manager pays a typical $75,900 a year more and draws on similar skills, even mentioning you're weighing it up is a legitimate data point in a pay conversation.
- Time it deliberately. Reviews, the end of a project you delivered, or taking on responsibility beyond your job description are stronger moments to ask than an arbitrary date on the calendar.
- Ask for a number, not a raise. "Based on the market rate and [specific contribution], I'd like to move to X" gets a clearer answer than "I think I deserve more."
Economic Development Officer salary questions
How much do economic development officers earn in Australia?
The median full-time salary for an economic development officer is $77,200 a year before tax. Seniority, specialisation, sector and the award or agreement you're employed under all move it.
Is economic development officer pay rising or falling?
The median economic development officer salary is up $16,300 since 2018. Figures from 2025 onward on this page are a projection, not a measured result.
What pays more than economic development officer?
Policy and Planning Manager pays a typical $75,900 a year more and draws on similar skills to economic development officer.